There’s a wonderful word in Swahili that I think expresses one of the imperatives for the future of Africa. The word is “harambee.” It means pulling together, collaborating and supporting each other. I believe that one of the key factors in the ability of African countries to create sustainable and equitable economic growth will be the emergence of innovation ecosystems. Harambee perfectly captures an essential element of such ecosystems—the ability of institutions and individuals to pull together and build a mutually supportive environment.

Innovation ecosystems are complex organisms that are difficult to create yet tremendously powerful when they work. Think Silicon Valley. They require a melding of all of the capabilities of governments, businesses, financiers, universities, and individuals. Together, these organizations and individuals provide the web of support that makes it easier for startups to launch and grow quickly, and for established companies to innovate more aggressively. With that kind of support, African entrepreneurs and businesses will find it easier to produce new products and services, or even create whole new industries. You can think of an innovation ecosystem as a collective intelligence—harnessed for the good of society.

IBM is committed to helping Africa build successful innovation ecosystems. The latest sign of this willingness is our new IBM Innovation Center in Nairobi, Kenya. It’s a place where people from established companies, universities and startups can tap IBM technology and expertise to help them create solutions to the country’s business and societal challenges. We’re dedicated to helping Kenya fulfill its Vision 2030, which provides a strategy aimed at helping large numbers of Kenyans emerge into the middle class. Here’s a video about the center..

Our company has been doing business in Africa since 1921, when we helped out with the South African census. Today, we are expanding rapidly. We have offices in more than 20 African countries, including South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco and my native Egypt. The company has helped deliver everything from online banking and dependable mobile phone services to technologies for improving city services and government transparency.

My IBM colleagues and I understand that expanding in Africa comes with a unique set of challenges. Our company must aid in building the capacities of Africa’s people and institutions—including knowledge, technology infrastructure, business sophistication and governance. These are the underpinnings of innovation ecosystems.

What’s the key role for IBM in Africa? To help feed the momentum. As a strategic partner with governments, universities, established businesses and startups, IBM can provide a wealth of technology know-how and problem-solving expertise that helps kick start initiatives and accelerate the speed of change.

Africa is coming into its own. The spirit of harambee is helping to drive progress. And IBM is dedicated to helping African countries, companies and individuals achieve their aspirations.

——————-

Here’s an IBM Blue Paper about what it takes to build innovation ecosystems in Africa.

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THis is Dr.V.Sadagopan , Retired IBM Research University Relations Executive . I enjoyed 26 Years at T.J.Watson as a Scientist , Manager of all of the University Relations Program ( Grants , Partnerships , Recruiting). I am impressed with IBM’s Focus to share Tools and Technical Competencies thru IBM Research Africa. I would like to contribute towards the advancement of this goal.I am currently working at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems ,Pace University , NY with the Dean of CSIS . Pace is a next door neighbor of IBM Research . The expertise here at Pace is Cyber Security , Business Analytics/ Health Care , Mobile Computing , Online Learning . As a former International Civil Servant at UN , I understands the tough road to travel to customize these programs thru skills development and Faculty Development .

I would like to get in touch with Mr. Uyi Stewart , CTO and the Director of Research , Dr. Kamal Bhattacharya to develop cooperative , Partnership programs . Two of the Seidenberg Faculty of the Seidenberg School founded by the CEO of Verizon , Ivan Seidenberg are natives of Tunisia and France with extensive links to West African Countries . They travel often to Africa . The IBM Africa Research Executives are welcome to visit the Pace Campuses at NY City and Westchester Suburb of Pleasantville , which is 10 miles from TJW Res. Center.

As a Retired IBM Research Executive from T.J.Watson , I would like to help this new Lab of IBM by linking up the skills at Pace Unviversity’s Computer Science and Information Systems Faculty and IBM Research Africa Executives . My email address is Yennappan@computer.net . Please forward this expression of interest to assist to the appropriate contact Executives. Thanks ,
Dr.V.Sadagopan
Retired IBM Research University Relations Executive.

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Will Kenya confirm his position as the hub for the African technological enhancement?
This innovation centre seems to be an high potential circuit. It shares tools and competencies with this environment relatively new to technology, receives feedback and insight on needs and has the opportunity to re-organize an updated and tailored set of tools and competencies to be shared. Harambee!

Posted by: Antonella Jannelli

May 8, 20138:23 am

I attended the IBM AFRICA INSTITUTE conference at the Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya. I must say that IBM exists a good cause. I hope that the team will be more interactive with the youths who are underemployed and organize more seminars in the EAC specifically for IBM AFRICA. Theres very little in the news.

[…] established a pan-African Center of Excellence for Data-Driven Development (CEDD). The goal is to combine forces and collaborate with research partners such as universities, development agencies and IBM clients in Africa and from around the world. By […]

[…] established a pan-African Center of Excellence for Data-Driven Development (CEDD). The goal is to combine forces and collaborate with research partners such as universities, development agencies and IBM clients in Africa and from around the world. By […]

[...] computing is now at this same inflection point. In Silicon Valley and other hotbeds of innovation, the idea of an open-architecture cloud is becoming a reality. This will be transformational on a [...]

[...] and the first in East Africa. This Innovation Center is a prime example of how IBM is helping to accelerate growth in Africa from the ground up with an ecosystem of highly skilled partners. IBM is working to support the [...]

[...] and the first in East Africa. This Innovation Center is a prime example of how IBM is helping to accelerate growth in Africa from the ground up with an ecosystem of highly skilled partners. IBM is working to support the [...]

[...] As part of its efforts to fuel global innovation, IBM regularly open its lab doors to people from business and academia so they can work directly with our researchers to fine-tune their skills and help develop solutions for solving key local and global challenges. Toward that end, the new IBM Innovation Center that opened today in Nairobi, Kenya will be a place where IBM can partner with local businesses, universities and startups on technologies that can make a difference in Africa and beyond. [...]

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